St. Patty's Day Detox Workout
By Erin Kurdyla,SELF magazine
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Let's face it...everyone's a little Irish on this day and traditionally that means enjoying a green beer (or two), corned beef, and a few shamrock cookies. If you plan to dress in green and celebrate like a leprechaun, why not rev up that metabolism and burn off those calories before the festivities begin with this workout challenge from Irish trainer and fitness expert Sara Haley.
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Don't have time to sweat prior to the big night? This circuit is a great cleansing detox because it speeds up the release of all the toxins you consumed. If you're working out post-party, make sure to drink plenty of water before and only start sweating once you're feeling good. No green on your favorite workout pants, please!
The Move: Irish Jig Warm Up
Target: Dynamically stretches the quad, hips, and works hamstrings and inner thighs.
How To Do It: Stand with feet shoulder width apart, hands on hips. Begin warming up by crossing the right foot over the left thigh (aim for above the knee). Keeping hips and shoulders square, balance on left foot. Slowly push off the floor with left foot, lifting the left foot up to the right glut while lowering right foot to the ground. Repeat for 20-30 seconds. Change legs, repeat.
The Move: Irish Jig Cardio Challenge
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Target: Great cardiovascular exercise as well as a nice dynamic stretch for legs and hips.
How To Do It: Same as the warm up, but pick up the pace. Channel your inner Michael Flatley from Riverdance and repeat for 20-30 seconds. Change legs, repeat.
The Move: Shamrock Shuffle
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Target: Great cardiovascular exercise that works gluts, quads, & outer thighs.
How To Do It: 3 leaves are on most shamrocks (Unless you are lucky enough to find that four-leaf clover!) You will be shuffling in 3 different directions. Begin in a squat position. Stay low and shuffle feet to the right. Turn 90 degrees to your right and shuffle to your left. Shuffle back to your right. Continue to your left - shuffle left. Turn 90 degrees to your left and shuffle left. Shuffle back to your left. Repeat for 60 seconds.
The Move: Leprechaun Run
Target: Great cardiovascular exercise & hip opener.
How to Do It: Stand with feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent. Lift right knee off the ground hip height. Slowly rotate knee out to the right, hips remain square. Jump up off left foot while simultaneously raising left knee up to torso. Think wide knee highs! This may feel a little awkward, but it's a great way to incorporate hip openers into your workout. Gradually pick up pace to a run for 30 seconds.
The Move: "Pot of Gold" Jumps:
Targets: Great cardiovascular exercise. Works the core & inner thighs.
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How To Do It: Prep with small jumps (like you are jumping rope), making sure to land ball of foot first, followed by the heel with soft knees. After 2-3 small prep jumps, lift both knees towards torso, pulling feet in and up. Repeat 4-6 times.
The Move: "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" Lunges
Target: Great cardiovascular exercise. Works legs, butt, and core.
How to Do It: Step out into a lunge with the right leg. Push off the floor, and kiss your feet in the air, as you switch your legs to land with the left in front. From the left lunge push off again to kiss feet and switch. Repeat 6-8 times.
The Move: "Good Luck" Horseshoe Abs:
Target: Works abs, obliques, and inner thighs.
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How to Do It: Begin flat on your back with your legs extended straight up from your hips. Upper body stays flat on the ground. Keeping your feet as close together as possible, carry legs on a diagonal. Draw a "horseshoe" from one corner, down and around to the corner, and then back to the other side. Keep core engaged and breathe! Repeat 8-10 times
*Repeat entire circuit 2-3 times through. Watch the entire workout here!
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